Reaper-platform



(NoModeL) M. R. LEWIS. Reap-er Platform.

No. 236,344. Patented Jan. 4,1881.

. his ATTORN Efl N. PETERS, PHOTD-LITNOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. DV 6,

UNITED- STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

MELCHINGER aLEwIs, OF GLEN ROCK, PENNSYLVANIA.

REAPER-PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 236,344, dated January 4, 1881.

Application filed September 4, 1880. (No model.)

.7" all whom t't may concern:

Be it known that I, MELCHINGER R. LEWIS, of Glen Rock, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable lmprovement in Reaper-Platforms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the-drawin gs is a representation of a front view of this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view, showing the end of the rib.

This invention has relation to the platforms of circular or side-delivery reapers; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown, described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the quadrant-shaped platform of a side-delivery reaper, which is usually constructed of boards, these being nailed to framing strips or beams to underneath. Around the outer edge of the platform extends a raised rim, I).

My improvement consists in the series of concentric quarter-circle ribs B, which extend from the front or cutter edge, 0, of the platform to the side or delivery edge, D. The forward ends, 0, of the ribs are rounded or beveled preferably, and the arrangement is designed to be so that there will be one rib between each two teeth of the rake E. In this manner each tooth (1 will have-a channel of its own forming its path, as indicated at 0. These ribs are designed to be about one inch and a half high by one-half an inch thick, and they are firmly secured to the boards of the platform by nails, screws, or bolts. As they traverse the bolts in a circular manner, it is apparent that the outer rib is secured to all the boards of the platform, and that the followinglribs of the series are secured to nearly all said boards, while the inner or smaller ribs also connect two boards or more, the general effect of the series being to form a strong bracing frame on the grain-surface of the platform, whereby it is prevented from sagging down or settling at the rear, and

" thereby leaving the rake.

The ribs may be made of wood or metal; but wood is preferred, being lighter. Their upper edges, on which the grain lies, may be square, rounding, or angular, and, if wood is used, may be covered with metal.

It is apparent that the construction described reduces the frictional surface upon which the grain lies very materially, so that the grain, especially if wet, is much more easily moved by the rake. Also, as the ends of the rake-teeth extend below the ribs, their extremities are not in contact with the grain, and the leverage is reduced, lessening the strain upon the rake and enabling it to deliver the bundle clean and with more case to the team. The rake is not so liable to be strained or broken, and the platform is always entirely cleared at each sweep, so that uniform bundles are delivered, which do not require to be mended afterward by dragging the grain from one bundle to the other; and the bundles are delivered in straight and complete form, no grain being left dragging from the platform between the bundles.

I am aware that straight ribs have been used on a rear-delivering platform, extending in straight lines from front to rear, and I do not claim such invention, my object being to improve the quadrant-platform by means of circular ribs which brace the same and prevent sagging in rear, as well as serving to hold the grain above the points of the raketeeth.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

In a quadrant-shaped or side-delivery reaper-platform, the series of concentric quartercircle ribs B, having the beveled forward ends 0, and extending from the cuttenedge to the delivery side of the platform, said curved ribs intersecting the joints of the boards of the floor and being secured thereto, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

MELGHINGER R. LEWIS.

Witnesses:

HENRY O. GINTER, O. F. WINTER.

IOO 

